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Desperation “Sol Star Fire!”
The new attack filled the lot. Breathing a little easier, Celeste sunk to her knees. She glanced around her, still wondering what had happened. “Well done, Sailor Sol. I knew you could do it.” Celeste glanced at her hands, surprised to find them covered by white gloves. She was dressed in a sailor uniform, although it was slightly different from her usual one. There were now underskirts of yellow and white, and her boots were a few inches shorter but still above her knees. ‘I’ve got my powers back,’ she realized. ‘How? Why?’ “Who are you?” Sol demanded, glancing around the lot. A woman dressed in black came into view. A breeze tossed her purple hair, effectively hiding her face. “You can call me Morpheus.” ‘She’s not a wind. Another enemy.’ “You were the one who brought Scorpios and Eurus back.” “In a matter of speaking,” Morpheus replied. Sol formed her staff. “That’s all I need to know. Sol Nemesis Nova!” “What are you doing?” However, the attack was already heading toward her, which Morpheus barely dodged. “Sol, you don’t understand!” “I understand enough,” Sol countered. “Allow me to thank you for bringing back Scorpios and Eurus. Sol Celestial Wind! Sol Star Fire!” “Morpheus Total Illusion—Multiply!” Suddenly there were several women, each Morpheus identical. Sol’s attacks hit two. The figures obliterated. However, several still remained and Sol assumed that included the real Morpheus. “Nice trick. Sol Nemesis Nova! Sol Corona Flare!” More of the copies disappeared. Only three figures remained, and they looked nervous. “Sol, I’m a friend!” “I’m not a fool!” Morpheus waved her arm and the copies disappeared. “I am a friend, Sol. I helped you get your powers back.” “That was your mistake.” “Celeste, please, hear me out.” “No. Sol Star Fire!” “Pluto Dead Scream!” The attacks collided, exploding with tremendous force. Sol was knocked back several feet. Coughing, she got back on her feet. Sailor Pluto emerged from the billowing dust. “Sol, are you all right?” “How do I know if you are real?” Sol demanded. The Sun Staff glowed. “How do I know that you aren’t another enemy?” Pluto stepped forward. “Sol, we’ve known each other for a long time. I helped you understand your powers after you resurrected for the first time, after you had defeated Nyx.” Sol continued to stare at her, her staff raised protectively in front of her. Pluto wondered if what her friend was thinking. Was she even getting through to her? “Remember the garden wall during the Silver Millennium? That’s where you told me about you and Charon. No one would know about that but us.” Sol lowered her staff slowly. Her confusion was evident in her eyes. “Puu, what’s going on?” “I’ll explain later, Celeste. I promise.” Morpheus ran over to them. “Have you explained?” Sol raised her staff. “You should have run when you had the chance.” “Setsuna,” Morpheus cried, “tell her!” Pluto sighed. “Sol, she’s a friend. This is Yochi Tomiko, better known as Morpheus.” “But she attacked me!” “I was trying to help you get your powers back,” Morpheus protested. “Which worked by the way.” Sol was quiet for a moment. “How did I get my powers back?” “You made a choice,” Morpheus replied. “What choice?” “I don’t know if I can tell you much more than that.” Sol rolled her eyes. “You sound just like Setsuna.” “Setsuna is right here,” Pluto said. “We really need to get out of here. Can we go to your apartment, Celeste?” Sol’s communicator chimed. She quickly opened the device. “Athene, what’s wrong?” “Sol?” the girl cried. “When did you get your powers back?” “It’s a long story.” “Celeste, Mara’s gone. Notus has taken her. I couldn’t stop it.” Her blood froze. “What?” “Notus kidnapped Mara. I couldn’t stop it. She was just too strong.” Celeste closed her eyes for a moment. “Where are you now?” “I’m at the playground.” “Can you make it to my apartment?” “I don’t know,” Athene said hesitantly. “I’ve hurt my leg pretty bad. I can barely walk.” “I’m coming to get you. Just stay where you are, all right?” Athene nodded. “I’m sorry, Sol.” “Just sit tight.” She closed the communicator, glancing up at Pluto and Morpheus. “Did you two know anything about this?” “We were trying to stop it,” Pluto replied. “Nice job.” “Hey, you don’t know what we’ve risked to do this,” Morpheus said. “Right now, I don’t care,” Sol said. “You’re going to need our help.” “I think you’ve helped enough.” Pluto stepped between the two women. “We’ll wait for you at your apartment, Celeste. There’s a lot to be discussed.” Sol gave a curt nod. “Yes, we do.” Then, in a flash of orange light, she was gone. |
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